Consumers are shopping more than ever for car insurance, resulting in record levels of auto insurance policy shopping and switching. Consumer retention rates fell from 83% to 80%, and new policies increased 6.2% in 2023, according to the LexisNexis 2024 Auto Trends Report.
Whether shopping for new car insurance or considering a switch, comparing car insurance rates is the best way to find a great deal on auto insurance. Comparing car insurance quotes is a simple process that can save you hundreds of dollars annually.
- In the most expensive states for car insurance – California, Florida and Louisiana – drivers can save 50% by shopping around.
- Nationwide, Travelers and USAA offer the cheapest full coverage insurance policies among national insurers.
- Shop your policy around renewal time by comparing quotes from at least three insurers.
Compare car insurance quotes from different companies
To compare car insurance rates, see how companies compare at three coverage levels below. The rates shown are the average annual rates for:
- State-minimum liability only: Limits vary based on your state
- Liability only: 50/100/50 ($50,000 bodily injury per person, $100,000 bodily injury per accident and $50,000 property damage per accident)
- Full coverage: 100/300/100 liability limits ($100,000 bodily injury per person, $300,000 bodily injury per accident and $100,000 property damage per accident) with comprehensive and collision coverage and $500 collision/comprehensive deductibles
In the table below, compare car insurance rates for various coverage levels and insurers.
Note: USAA is only available to military community members and their families.
How to compare car insurance quotes: Step-by-step guide
To compare car insurance rates, you must first decide how much coverage you need and have the details about your car, location and listed drivers.
You will get quotes during your research, but the exact amount you pay for coverage – your rate – may be more or less after the insurance company finalizes its calculations.
Here are five steps to take so you can compare car insurance quotes to find the best deal on coverage:
Step 1: Use the car insurance comparison tool to compare quotes
If you’ve moved or if you want to get a feel for what car insurance costs in your neighborhood or are a new driver, you can get an idea of what people in your area are paying by using our car insurance comparison tool, showing the average car insurance rate in each ZIP code.
Florida Car Insurance Rates by ZIP Code
Enter ZIP for average rate. Then enter Age, Gender and Coverage Level for customized rate.MOST EXPENSIVE PER MONTH |
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33012 - Hialeah: $128 |
33135 - Miami: $128 |
33013 - Hialeah: $128 |
33125 - Miami: $127 |
LEAST EXPENSIVE PER MONTH |
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32425 - Bonifay: $53 |
32440 - Graceville: $53 |
32431 - Cottondale: $53 |
32428 - Chipley: $53 |
CarInsurance.com commissioned Quadrant Information Services to provide a report of average auto insurance rates for a 2017 Honda Accord for nearly every ZIP code in the United States. We calculated rates using data for up to six large carriers. Averages for the default result are based monthly insurance for a male driver, age 30, for state minimum required liability coverage. Averages for customized rates are based on drivers’ ages and gender for the following coverage levels: state minimum liability, liability of 50/100/50 and 100/300/100 with $500 deductible on comprehensive and collision. These hypothetical drivers have clean records and good credit. Average rates are for comparative purposes. Your own rate will depend on your personal factors and vehicle.
Step 2: Review your existing car insurance policy and assess coverage
While you shop for the price and insurance company right for you, you should know what coverages are right for you. If this is a new policy, you must meet at least your state’s minimum liability car insurance requirements.
If you want to find the cheapest car insurance while comparison shopping, look for liability coverage only in the smallest amount your state will accept. (Legally required minimum liability coverage amounts vary by state.) Most states require so little coverage that an accident might leave any other assets you have, such as a home or savings, vulnerable to lawsuits.
If you’re replacing a policy, review it to see if your existing coverage is still the best for you.
The four main types of car insurance you should understand are:
- Liability car insurance: Covers others’ property damage and medical expenses. If you have few assets, you don’t need high limits. If you own a home or have savings, you do — limits of 100/300/100 are recommended. That means $100,000 per person, up to $300,000 per accident and $300,000 for property damage.
- Uninsured motorist coverage: This comes in two forms. Uninsured motorist bodily injury pays for medical bills if you’re injured in an accident that an uninsured driver causes. Uninsured property damage pays to fix your car. Some states require these coverages, but if yours doesn’t, ask yourself if you would have the money to pay for damages if a driver hits you without car insurance.
- Collision coverage: Covers damage to your car. It pays out only up to the actual cash value of your car. If your vehicle is old, you may not need this optional protection.
- Comprehensive insurance: Covers theft and damage to your car from hail, floods, fire, vandalism and animal strikes. Like collision coverage, this will pay you up to the amount the insurance company values your car. You may not need extra coverage if you drive an older vehicle.
Also, decide now what deductible makes sense for your situation. Raising your collision and comprehensive insurance deductible is one of the best ways to save on car insurance.
Remember that if you have a claim, that deductible will be your out-of-pocket expense to repair or replace your car. You’ll have to pay the deductible each time you file a claim. We recommend you choose an amount that you can pay from savings. Your car won’t be repaired until you pay your share.
Step 3: Gather information about drivers and vehicles
Comparing car insurance rates online side-by-side saves you from repeatedly giving out the same information. Once you know what coverage you need, gather the following information to request car insurance quotes.
- Names, birthdates and license numbers of all drivers to be covered.
- Make and model of each car to be covered.
- Driving history, including accidents and driving violations, of all drivers to be covered by the policy. is moving off your policy, you’ll likely see a significant drop in rates.
Step 4: Compare insurance rates from different companies
Now, you can begin collecting online car insurance quotes. Request rates from at least three insurers. Compare coverage using the same liability limits, identical deductibles and optional coverages.
Also, follow up with potential insurers about any car insurance discounts you may qualify for. Additional discounts not part of the online quote process may be offered. For instance, you may be asked how many miles you drive a year to see if you’re eligible for a low-mileage discount, but you may not be asked what your teen driver’s grades are, which could snag you a good-student discount.
Step 5: Research potential car insurance companies
When you’re ready to buy, research the insurers that offer the cheapest rates. From then, take the following steps:
- Check the company’s financial strength rating through AM Best.
- Check for complaints against the company with the NAIC.
- Research complaint rates online at the Better Business Bureau and your state insurance department.
- Look at CarInsurance.com’s best car insurance companies.
How much can you save by comparing car insurance quotes?
In the three most expensive states for car insurance – California, Florida and Louisiana – car insurance shoppers can save 57%, 52% and 50%, respectively, between the average lowest and average highest rates in the state.
Compare car insurance quotes by state
The table below compares the highest and lowest rates from major insurers in each state. The difference between the highest and lowest rates is the amount you could save by comparing car insurance quotes from different companies.
Tips for comparing car insurance quotes
Understanding variables that impact rates: When you compare car insurance costs, understand that many factors influence car insurance rates. The primary considerations include your age, where you live, the type of car you drive, your driving record, your credit history and how much coverage you buy.
Your deductible: The deductible you pay, if you have a full coverage policy, will increase or decrease your price. Higher deductibles lower your rates because insurers assume you will file fewer claims. If your deductible is $1,000, it doesn’t make sense to file a claim for damage under that amount or even for a bit more than that, since you’ll have to pay the deductible before your insurance pays out. Fewer claims mean your potential cost to your insurer is lower, so you pay less. On the other hand, a low deductible, say $500, means you’ll likely file more claims. So, a low deductible will increase your rates.
Drop optional coverages if you don’t need them: If you own a car outright that’s worth less than $3,000 or so and is 10 or older, it might not make financial sense to carry the optional coverages of comprehensive and collision. You only get paid up to the actual cash value of your car if you file a claim under these portions of your policy.
Get all the discounts you can: Not all drivers meet the criteria for all discounts, so be sure to get the ones that match your driver profile. Standard car insurance discounts include those for bundling with your home insurance company, paying your policy in full, paying electronically, meeting low mileage requirements, having safety and anti-theft features installed, insuring more than one vehicle with the same company, staying accident-free for three to five years and maintaining a high grade-point average.
Check customer reviews: Be sure to read customer reviews of companies you are considering. Also, check the insurance companies’ social media and Facebook pages on your list to see what policyholders have to say about their experiences.
Factors to consider when comparing insurance rates
Many factors affect your car insurance rates. The chief variables of your driver profile that insurers consider when pricing your policy are listed below:
- Where you live: Insurance companies consider the frequency and cost of accidents, vandalism/theft and weather events in your area to set a base rate.
- Your age: Rates are cheapest for drivers in their 40s, 50s, and 60s and then increase again at age 70. Teens and young drivers pay the most.
- Your credit history: Drivers with bad credit pay more for coverage than those with good credit. If you have bad credit, you can still save on coverage by comparing quotes but be prepared for more expensive rates.
- Your driving record: At-fault accidents, speeding tickets and DUIs increase your rates.
- Your vehicle make/model: Car insurance costs also vary by make and model, as insurance companies consider, along with other factors we’ve mentioned already, how safe the vehicle is, its rate of accident claims, and how much it costs to repair.
The average car insurance rates for popular vehicles are shown in the chart below to compare car insurance rates by vehicle.
Final thoughts: Why you should compare car insurance quotes
Shop your policy at least once a year or upon renewal to be sure you’re not paying too much. Remember to compare car insurance quotes when you experience life changes because your existing company may no longer be the most affordable.
“You should compare car insurance quotes to ensure you’re getting the best coverage at the most competitive price,” says James Brau, Joel C. Peterson Professor of Finance at Brigham Young University. “It also helps you find the policy that meets your specific needs and budget, avoiding overpaying or being underinsured. When you compare, always make sure it is apples to apples, meaning the same exact services from each firm.”
Comparing car insurance quotes will save money because you’ll see which carrier offers the cheapest car insurance for your particular circumstances.
Resources & Methodology
Sources
- LexisNexis. “2024 LexisNexis Risk Solutions Auto Insurance Trends Report.” Accessed November 2024.
- Kelly Blue Book. “The 25 Best-Selling Cars of 2023.” Accessed November 2024.
- NAIC “How to File a Complaint and Research Complaints Against Insurance Carriers.” Accessed November 2024.
Methodology
CarInsurance.com uses several data reports from Quadrant Information Services. Data is collected regularly and reviewed by our editorial team to ensure consistency and accuracy. The following two reports were used in this story.
Coverage by ZIP Report:
The Coverage by ZIP Report provides data for 40-year-old adults driving a Honda Accord LX with full coverage and liability limits of $100,000/$300,000/$100,000 with $500 comprehensive and collision deductibles. The typical driver has a good insurance score, a 12-mile commute with 10,000 annual mileage. Data comprises 53,409,632 insurance quotes, 170 insurance companies, 29,152 cities across all states and 34,588 ZIP codes. The national average for this report is $1,895.
New Vehicles Report:
The New Vehicles Report provides data for 40-year-old males with full coverage and liability limits of $100,000/$300,000/$100,000 with $500 comprehensive and collision deductibles. The typical driver has a 12-mile commute with 10,000 annual mileage. Data comprises 28,561,720 insurance quotes, 1,439 make/models, 58 insurance companies, 201 cities across all states and 510 ZIP codes. The national average for this report is $2,305.
- State Farm vs. Geico
- Geico vs. Progressive
- State Farm vs. Progressive
- Progressive vs. Nationwide
- Nationwide vs. Geico
- Allstate vs. State Farm
- Travelers vs. Nationwide
- Farmers vs. American Family
- Allstate vs. Famers
- Allstate vs. The Hartford
- American Family vs. Auto-Owners
- Travelers vs. Erie
- Allstate vs. American Family
- USAA vs. Liberty Mutual
- Liberty Mutual vs. Travelers
- Safeco vs. The Hartford
- Safeco vs. Erie